SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Operating Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ 108,907		$ 97,004		$ 196,066		$ 195,588
Restructuring and other costs	(2,528)		(6,863)		(3,765)		(7,496)
Interest expense	(14,584)		(5,570)		(30,366)		(11,913)
Interest income	2,011		2,430		4,308		4,258
Other expense (income), net	(748)		(1,434)		(1,230)		(1,504)
Income before income taxes	95,586		92,430		168,778		186,429
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	111,435		103,867		199,831		203,084
Dental Consumable and Laboratrory Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	63,295		61,536		124,764		117,519
Orthodontics/Canada/Mexico/Japan [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	3,897		4,314		4,263		13,593
Select Distribution Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	138		587		(850)		445
Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	77,224		63,188		143,383		117,613
All Other
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ (33,119)	[1]	$ (25,758)	[1]	$ (71,729)	[1]	$ (46,086)	[1]

[1] (a) Includes the results of Corporate headquarters, inter-segment eliminations and one distribution warehouse not managed by named segments.